Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;Stereophonics&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Stereophonics,’ having a good uniform canopy of large white spatulate single flowers with a green disc. The new variety has medium vigor with a domed capitulum, free branching, and uniform spreading habit with good foliage presentation.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/396,825, filed Jul. 17, 2002.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

[0002] Botanical classification: Dendranthema grandiflora.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0003] The new Chrysanthemum variety denomination is ‘Stereophonics.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, andreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Stereophonics’. ‘Stereophonics’,identified as 21214-0 originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom. The femaleparent of the new variety is an undistributed, unpatented seedlingidentified as a white single. The male parent of the new variety is anundistributed, unpatented seedling identified as a white single. The newvariety ‘Stereophonics’ has been asexually reproduced by vegetativecuttings in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom and thedistinguishing characteristics are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] ‘Stereophonics’ is a pot type of Chrysanthemum plant varietyhaving large white spatulate single flowers.

Comparison with Parent

[0006] Plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Stereophonics’ aresimilar to the white single unpatented seedling, parent cultivar inplant habitat and growth rate. In side-by-side comparisons inChichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom, under commercial practice,plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Stereophonics’ compared toplants of a white single unpatented seedling, the parent cultivar, inthe following characteristics.

[0007] 1. The new variety ‘Stereophonics’ produces large white spatulatesingle flowers whereas the parent cultivar ‘a white single unpatentedseedling’ produces large white broad flat single flowers.

[0008] 2. Plants of the new variety ‘Stereophonics’ have larger andtaller inflorescence than plants of the parent cultivar ‘Stereophonics’.

Comparison with Other Varieties

[0009] Plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Stereophonics’ aresimilar to the cultivar ‘Cool Time’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser.No. 09/802051) in plant habitat and growth rate. However, inside-by-side comparisons in Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom,under commercial practice, plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety‘Stereophonics’ differed from plants of the cultivar ‘Cool Time’ in thefollowing characteristics.

[0010] 1. The new variety ‘Stereophonics’ produces white spatulatesingle flowers whereas the cultivar ‘Cool Time’ produces white broadflat single flowers.

[0011] 2. Plants of the new variety ‘Stereophonics’ have larger andtaller inflorescence than plants of the cultivar ‘Cool Time’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

[0012] Typical specimens of the plant and flowers for the newChrysanthemum variety ‘Stereophonics’ are shown in the accompanyingdigital photograph. The colors shown are as true as possible within theusual limits of this kind of illustration.

[0013]FIG. 1 is a whole plant view of the new variety ‘Stereophonics’grown in a pot. The plant shown in the illustration and described hereis 52 days after the commencement of Short Days.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0014] The following description of the new Chrysanthemum variety‘Stereophonics’ is of plants grown in a greenhouse in Chichester, WestSussex, United Kingdom in the month of February. The cultivar has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary significantly with variations in the environment such astemperature, length of day and light intensity, without any variance ingenotype. The commercial classification of the new variety is a potChrysanthemum.

[0015] Plants of the new variety have been grown successfully undertemperature conditions averaging about 18° C. at night and about 24° C.to 25° C. during the day under light conditions of about 5000 to 6000foot candles. The plants respond well to the use of growth retardant,such as B9 treatment. To produce a commercial product the plants may bepinched once with the center bud removed. The typical container size forcommercial growth is 14 cm. It has been observed that the shelf life ofthe new variety is about 24 days with a response time of about 7 weeks.The new variety is suitable for growth in a temperature range of 17° C.to 28° C.

[0016] The following description is with respect to a plant produced asa pot Chrysanthemum. In the description of this new Chrysanthemumvariety, color values have been taken from The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.).

PLANT

[0017] Plant type: Pot.

[0018] Habit: Upright and free branching.

[0019] Height: 24 cm.

[0020] Width: 36 cm.

[0021] Branching characteristics: Upright and free branching.

[0022] Length of lateral branches: 5-12 cm.

[0023] Number of breaks from pinch: 3-5.

[0024] Stem color: 137C.

[0025] Response time: 50 days.

[0026] Vigor: medium/Tall.

[0027] Shelf life: 24 days.

[0028] Disease/Pest (susceptibility/resistance observed): None observedto date.

[0029] Growth retardant type and treatment: 3 applications of 2.5gm/litre B9 @ 2, 21 and 28 days after sticking of unrooted cuttings. Theplants were grown for 3 weeks in Long Day conditions (20 hours of light)and then transferred to Short Day conditions (13 hours of dark).

[0030] Propagation:

[0031]Type.—Vegetative Propagation Via Stem Cuttings.

[0032]Time to rooting.—12-14 days with soil temperatures of 18° C.

[0033]Rooting habit.—Fine and Fibrous.

[0034] Other treatments or conditions: none.

FOLIAGE

[0035] Number of leaves per lateral branch: 8-11.

[0036] Compound or single: Single.

[0037] Arrangement of leaves: Alternate.

[0038]Shape of leaf.—Typically 5 Lobed Ovate.

[0039]Size of leaf.—Width (cm): 2-5 Length (cm): 2-8.

[0040]Leaf apex.—Acute.

[0041]Base.—Obtuse.

[0042]Attachment.—Petioled.

[0043]Aspect.—Slightly undulating.

[0044]Margin.—Palmetely lobed.

[0045]Surface characteristics.—Top: Slightly pubescent Bottom:Pubescent.

[0046] Petiole: Color: 137C Length: 2 cm.

[0047] Venation: net prominent mid vein at underside Color: upper side:Near 139C underside: Near 139C.

[0048] Color: Mature Leaf, upper side: Near 147A; under side: Near 147BYoung Leaf, upper side: Near 147A; under side: Near 138C.

FLOWER

[0049] Flower appearance: Matte.

[0050] Flower type: Single.

[0051] Flower form: Cupped.

[0052] Flower shape: Circular.

[0053] Flower habit: Domed Capitulum.

[0054] Number of blossoms per branch: 3-5.

[0055] Inflorescence form: Cyme.

[0056]Depth of fully expanded blossoms.—2 cm.

[0057]Diameter of fully expanded blossoms.—9 cm.

[0058] Sepals:

[0059]Number.—23-30.

[0060]Outer color.—Near 137C.

[0061]Length.—0.5-0.9 cm.

[0062]Width.—0.2-0.5 cm.

[0063]Texture/Appearance.—Pubescent.

[0064] Peduncle: Peduncle length is shortest at the terminal flower andprogressively longer moving down the stem.

[0065]Length.—3-10 cm, average 4 cm.

[0066]Color.—Near 137A.

[0067]Surface.—Pubescent.

[0068]Habit.—Slightly Curving.

[0069]Strength.—Medium.

[0070] Pedicel:

[0071]Length.—terminal: 2-5 cm; lateral: 5-7 cm.

[0072]Color.—Near 138A.

[0073]Surface.—Pubescent.

[0074]Habit.—Slightly Curving.

[0075]Strength.—Medium.

[0076] Ray florets:

[0077]Form/Shape.—Spatulate.

[0078]Texture/Appearance.—Matte.

[0079]Number per flower.—35-45.

[0080]Length.—3-4.5 cm; Width: 0.5-1 cm.

[0081]Apex.—Rounded.

[0082]Base.—Tubular.

[0083]Margin.—Entire.

[0084] Disc florets:

[0085]Form/Shape.—Cylindrical.

[0086]Texture/Appearance.—Shiny.

[0087]Number per flower.—150-250.

[0088]Length.—0.6 cm; Width: 0.1 cm.

[0089]Diameter of disc.—2 cm.

[0090] Fragrance: None.

[0091] Flower Bud (at onset of color):

[0092]Length.—0.5 cm.

[0093]Diameter.—1 cm.

[0094]Form/shape.—Globular.

[0095] General flower color:

[0096] 1. Ray florets, upper side.—Immature: Near 158A Mature: Near 155DOlder/Fading: Near 155D.

[0097] 2. Ray florets, under side.—Immature: Near 158B Mature: Near 155BOlder/Fading: Near 155D.

[0098] 3. Disc florets.—Immature: Near 137D Mature: Near 144BOlder/Fading: Near 151C.

[0099] 4. Bud.—158B. Flower progression with age: Flower form does notchange and there is very little color fading.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

[0100] Ray florets: Pistillate.

[0101]Pistil number.—>30.

[0102]Stigma color.—Near 6A.

[0103]Stigma shape.—Forked.

[0104]Style color.—Near 145A.

[0105]Style length.—0.6 cm.

[0106] Disc Florets: Pistillate.

[0107]Pistil number.—>30.

[0108]Stigma color.—Near 6A.

[0109]Stigma shape.—Forked.

[0110]Style color.—Near 145A.

[0111]Style length.—0.5 cm.

[0112]Staminate.—None observed to date.

[0113] Fruit and seeds: None observed to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemumplant, substantially as described and illustrated herein.